Nomad Life - Day 20

Started teleworking early again this morning (0600), with short breaks to load up my car and get breakfast in the hotel lobby (had to make two trips down there because their "to go" options were depleted when I first arrived).  For the first time in several days, it was rainy and cool - fortunately, the forecast said it would get nicer later.  I'd tried to get a late check-out from the Super 8 but the best they could do was 1200 (or pay $25 extra if I wanted to stay longer than that) - oh well.  As a result of this, I found myself finishing work meetings in the front seat of my Subaru.  With those completed (1230), I departed Ticonderoga and drove north/west on back roads (through the towns of Moriah and Underwood) until I reached US-9/NY-73.  Google Maps showed that I could cut off some distance by staying on this road but I didn't follow the directions correctly - instead, I ended up on I-87, which took me a bit farther out of the way - when I reached Elizabethtown, I used NY-9D to intercept NY-73 again.  In the end, I figured out this was my normal route through the Adirondacks and so it felt comfortable.  Because I had another work meeting scheduled in the mid-afternoon, I was trying to reach Lake Placid and find a business where I could access their WiFi.  This idea came to fruition as I passed the Big Slide Brewery and Public House (1400) and went inside - they told me I could set up in a quiet area on their outdoor patio (which had good WiFi and an outlet for my laptop).  Everyone there was very nice!  I ordered a late lunch (white bean soup and a BLT) and conducted my meeting (1430).  Afterwards, I tried some of the Big Slide's beer (good) before departing.  It took a little bit of time to get through the Lake Placid traffic but I was able to reach Saranac Lake (via NY-86) by 1600.  I found a gas station (Stewart's) and added fuel to my tank (gas prices are much higher than I've been seeing for weeks).  From there, I continued on my way to Potsdam (more NY-86, NY-30, NY-458, NY-11B and NY-72).  Along the way, I listened to audiobooks and enjoyed the Adirondack greenery.  It seems like I'm usually only in this area during the winter so it felt strange to see the differences.  I made it to Eileen's home by 1715 and got setup inside.  I did a bit more teleworking (until 1800) and repacked my car again.  Eileen had told me she was participating in one of the Saint Lawrence Valley Paddlers Wednesday Night Duathlons so I drove to Canton so I could watch that event.  I arrived a short time after they'd started the first running portion (1835) but did get to see Eileen (and her partner, Will) as they transitioned to the paddling portion (it took place in the Little River from the Park Street Boat Launch).  As usual, she was so focused on her race that she didn't see me.  While she was gone, however, I listened to the other spectators talking about her and cheered for other competitors.  When Eileen and Will returned to the landing, I tried to follow the racing part but didn't know exactly where to watch.  Fortunately, I managed to get to the finish line in time to see her and Mika cross.  During this time, several people talked to me and tried to figure out what brought me to the event.  I'm used to this by now (it was a small town, after all) and it was fun to see some other folks I've met at previous paddling races I've attended as a fan of Eileen.  By this point, it was about 1930 and I thought it might be time for us to depart for dinner.  However, the SLVP folks first wanted to celebrate the 2025 Summer Season (this was their last event) and a member's birthday.  There was some delicious ice cream, with homemade chocolate syrup from Mary K.'s farm - it was delicious!  Eileen couldn't leave yet, though, because she had to sign autographs inside the front cover of a book that was just published about her NWP adventure.  She was still talking with her friends at 2015 and I started to wonder if any restaurants in Potsdam would still be open by the time we wanted to get dinner.  Adding credence to that thought, Eileen asked if I could take her to retrieve her car from Will's house and give her time to change clothing before we left for dinner.  I did as she asked and we eventually (2040) were ready to depart her home and find a place to eat.  We first tried Maxfield's (their website said dinner/bar went until 2 AM) but they said the kitchen had closed.  Down the street, we tried the Royal India Grill and found that they were about to close too - fortunately, their manager felt pity for us and allowed us to sit down.  We immediately ordered and it was fun to try several of their exotic menu items: garlic naan bread, vegetable pakora (appetizer), Chilly Paneer (me) and Lamb Korma (Eileen).  We were able to eat at our table and talk until nearly 2130 but, as the restaurant employees turned off the Bollywood video and music, it was clear that we needed too go boxes.  Feeling thankful for the opportunity to eat such a nice meal, we profusely thanked the people at the restaurant before getting in the car to return to Eileen's house.  For the rest of the evening, we played with Mika, fixed some broken closet doors, talked and enjoyed each other's company.  Before long, I realized it was 2245 and, because Eileen was already nodding off, suggested it was time to head to bed.  Unlike on most other nights on this Nomad Life adventure, I didn't stay up late beyond getting ready.  As a result, I was in bed (with lights out) at 2300.  Looking forward to a few days with Eileen!